KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Broncos second-year safety David Bruton made his second career start Sunday, filling in for veteran Brian Dawkins, who did not play because of a knee injury.

When Dawkins missed time earlier this year, Nate Jones started at safety.

“I’m proud of Bruton for stepping in, because Dawkins has big shoes to fill,” cornerback Champ Bailey said. “He did a great job communicating and didn’t have any errors out there. It was a smooth game by the young guys.”

Bruton, whose primary role before Sunday was on special teams, made six tackles.

Robert Ayers’ broken foot might be healed, but the Broncos haven’t handed him his starting job back.

The former first-round draft pick was on the sideline at the start of Sunday’s game at Kansas City, while Mario Haggan and Jason Hunter started at outside linebacker. Ayers rotated in throughout the game but was not playing on all three downs like he did before breaking his foot in early October.

“You’ve got to talk to Josh (McDaniels) about that,” Ayers said. “I just try to play hard when I’m in there. When I come in and when I come out is not up to me.”

McDaniels would not elaborate on the team’s plan to start Hunter instead of Ayers.

“He’s continuing to progress with his playing after a long time off,” McDaniels said of Ayers.

Ayers finished with four tackles, including three solo and one for a loss.

Quarterback Kyle Orton said the cold and wind may have played a role in the Broncos’ ineffective passing game, but said he would not use it as an excuse for his performance.

The Broncos play their next two games in more temperate climates, at Arizona and at Oakland.

Hug it out.

After spending much of the week answering questions about his refusal to shake McDaniels’ hand after Denver’s 49-29 victory over Kansas City last month, Chiefs coach Todd Haley didn’t expound on the hug the two shared following Sunday’s game.

“I appreciated everyone liking to talk about it, but it’s just such a big win for our team,” Haley said “That’s really what it’s about, that’s what I prefer to keep it about, with all due respect, because this was a big win, a division win at home.”

Injury report.

Fullback Spencer Larsen left the game with a hamstring injury and defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson also limped off the field, but returned.

Tight end Dan Gronkowski was taken on a cart to the locker room in the first half with a left ankle injury. He didn’t suffer a fracture and returned to the game with the ankle heavily taped.

The most serious injuries were to linebackers Joe Mays (left knee) and D.J. Williams (right elbow). Williams was taken for X-rays after the game and there was some concern he ruptured the bursa sac in the joint, which would affect the mobility of his arm.

Footnotes.

The nine completions by Orton were the fewest against the Chiefs since they allowed the Raiders only seven Sept. 20, 2009. . . . The six points were the second- lowest total for the Broncos in McDaniels’ tenure behind the 32-3 loss to San Diego last season. . . . It’s a bonding thing. Last month, several Broncos didn’t shave. For December, several players are sporting mustaches. Punter Britton Colquitt, kicker Matt Prater and left guard Zane Beadles are among those with the debonair look.

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